SENATOR MAILE SHIMABUKURO 2024 HAWAII STATE LEGISLATURE
Ka‘ena - Makahā - Waiʻanae - Nānākuli - Mā‘ili - Ko Olina
MARCH 2024
BREAKING NEWS
LATEST COMMUNITY UPDATES DHHL and Beneficiary Cash Awards (SB2640) Hawaiʻi lawmakers have proposed a measure allowing the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to offer cash awards instead of leases to beneficiaries on the waiting list. Supporters argue that all options to reduce the list should be explored, while critics insist that beneficiaries should only be placed directly onto the land. Introduced by Senator Maile Shimabukuro, the bill aims to alleviate the DHHL waiting list by offering cash awards. DHHL beneficiary DeMont Manaʻole initially felt uneasy about the proposal but later acknowledged that some may prefer financial stability over waiting for a lease. DHHL's head of government relations, Oriana Leao, expressed openness to ideas but emphasized the agency's commitment to placing Native Hawaiians back on the land. With over 28,000 beneficiaries on the waiting list, the measure would require amendments to the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, necessitating approval from the U.S. Department of the Interior and Congress. The Senate Hawaiian Affairs Committee approved the measure 4-1, with an amendment ensuring beneficiaries retain the right to lease transfer if they accept cash awards. The bill awaits further hearings before the Senate Committees on Ways and Means and Judiciary. (Hawaii Public Radio, 1/31/2024) <click==
LEGISLATION TO BOLSTER NATIVE FISH HATCHERIES ADVANCES =click=> <Hawaii Public Radio 3/7/2024> <=click=
SB2329 which I introduced this session was to promote and fund production of fishponds with mullet (’anae) and other equipment for aquaculture. Wai’anae High School “Marine Science Learning Center” (MSLC) is an on-campus aquaculture facility offering Mark Ladao / HPR students hands-on education in marine science and commercial enterprise. They sell products to local communities. The outcome of the research done at the MSLC has led to the successful raising ogo and salt-water tilapia for sale as a source of local protein. The Ku’uwehi Hirashi / HPR outcome of these projects is that they can provide resilient strains of native aquaculture stock for larger fishponds. There are currently 40 fishpond under Hui Malama Loko i’a who hope that this form of indigenous harvesting could result in a full-fledged source of healthy food produced with native knowledge, for the native people, in there native places. This is a wonderful example where the ways of old Are now becoming new all over again. IMUA !!!